Labeling machine



Dec. 2, 1941. J, Q, SHERMAN 2,264,339

LABELING MACHINE Filed sept. '9, 1939 4 sheets-sheet 1 J. Q. SHERMAN 2,264,339

LABELING MAHINE Filed sept. 9; 1939 4 sheets-sheet 2 Des. 2, 41941.

Dec.' 2, 1941. Q. SHERMAN n 2,264,339

LABELING MACHINE Filed Sept. 9, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 I/VVEA/ 70E.

WELL M0165 E. TUF/VE@ EXFO/T095.

De 2, 1941- J. Q) SHERMAN 5 2,264,339

LABELING MACHINE Filed Sept. 9, 1959 4 sheets-sheet 4 PatentedDec. 2, 1941 UNITED sTA'ra LABELING MACHINE John Quirk Sherman, deceased, late of Dayton, Ohio, by Katherine M. Sherman, William C. Sherman, and Wellmore B. ,Turnen executors,

Dayton, (lhio Application September 9, 1939, Serial No. 294,197

` (c1. 21e-2s) f Claims.

This invention pertains to envelope and package addressing apparatus, and more particularly to a means and method of rapidly and accurately applying imprinted indicia or legend-bearing labels to separate .envelopes and small packages in a continuing succession.

In addressing envelopes and small packages it is highly desirable that successive imprinted legends be accurately positioned in identical relation with different units. It isequally desirable that such inscribed matter be written or imprinted in a conventional typewriting or 'imprinting apparatus. It is, however, a tedious and laborious operation to feed such units singly' through a typewriting or imprinting machine.

In the present development, designed to enable rapid, accurate imprint identiiication of envelopes and -small packages, it is contemplated that a continuous strip of record material will have been fed through a writing or imprinting apparatus-by which indicia or legends are imprinted thereon at accurately spaced longitudinal intervals. Such imprinted strip bearing a succession of legends will then be progressively fed through the presentl apparatus insuch timed sequence as to present the imprinted legends successively in registry with succeeding envelopes or packages of a series to which legend bearing portions severed from the supply strip are adhesively afxed. The use of positive feeding devices makes it possible to advance the legend bearing strip through measured distances and arrest the strip with each succeeding imprinted legend in registry with the strip severing and label applying positions. A

Thus, instead of imprinting the desired indicia directly upon a series of separately ied'envelopes or packages, the operation is greatly facilitated, and increased accuracy of registration and speed of operation is assured by initially imprinting the strip and subsequently adhesively applying A detached imprinted areas thereof to the units.

The object of the invention is to improve the constructionas well as the means and mode of operation of addressing and labeling 4apparatus whereby it may not only be economically manu-v factured and operated, butwill be more efiicient in use, automatic in operation, uniform in action, g

having relatively few operating parts, and unlikely to getl out of repair. y

A further object of the invention is to provide means enabling identication legends to be inscribed in repetitious series upon continuous record strips in conventional typewriting and imprinting apparatus and subsequently automatically severed therefrom and accurately applied to each of a succession of units.

A further object of the invention is to provide positive feeding and arresting means cooperative with label detaching and applying devices for advancing lthe legend-bearing strips measured distances and arresting them with succeedingI legends in predetermined relation with individual units to be labeled. l l

A further object of the invention is to provide improved severing and applicator means for detaching legend-bearing portions of the continuous supply strips and adherently aixing them to the succeeding units. A further object of the invention is to provid improved strip severing apparatus for removing from the supply strip inscribed areas of predetermined size and form. l

A further object of the invention is to provide automatic control means of improved characterv governing the sequence of operation. f

A further object of the invention is to provide an envelope and package labeling apparatus embodying the advantageous structural features and the inherent meritorious characteristics herein mentioned. f

With the above primary and other incidental objects in view as will lmore fully appear in the specification, the invention intended to be protected by Letters Patent consists of the features of construction, `the parts and combinations thereof, and the mode of operation, or their equivalents, as hereinafter described or illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings, wherein is shown the preferred but obviously not necessarily the only form of embodiment of the invention, Fig. 1 is a top plan view of an assembled automatic apparatus embodying' the present invention.

Fig. 2 is'a longitudinal sectional view partly broken away. v l

Fig. 4 is a side elevation illustrating a manually operated apparatus. Fig. 5 is a perspective view ot a portion of a legend-bearing strip illustrating portions thereof before and after passing` the severing and'label applicator point and anassociated unit to which,"

thereof. Fig. 3 is a side elevation with the housing present machine.

ment of positive strip feeding means, which for illustrative purposes are shown esl a series of longitudinallv spaced feed holes 2 for engagement oi a traveling pin type feeding device. The strip l of record material is preferably previously summed on its reverse side, either throughout or in localised areas 3 conincident with the legendbearing areas oi' the strip. Obviously a conventional glue spotting device may be arranged in advance of the present apparatus, or incorpo rated therein, so that the strip shall receive its adhesive coau'ng as 1t is being advanced to the label detaching and applicator positions of the Such glue spotting device, being well known and not forming, per se, any part of the present invention, is not illustrated in the drawings.

The.previously inscribed and, preferably but not necessarily, previously adhesively coated strip l is advanced through the present apparatus from `a supply compartment I over a bed or table l, by intermittently operative relatively spaced pin wheel feeding devices 8 6 located at opposite ends of the apparatus.

The Din type feeding devices 6 are interconnected for unison operation by a chain belt. 1. They are periodically actuated to advance the stripmeasured distances in timed sequence with other steps of the process by a single voperation electric motor l with power stop control of the general type shown and described in Letters Patent No. 1,741,442. Such motor is provided with control mechanism byv which, after being set in` operation, it continues through a perdetermined cycle of operation, at the end of .which it is automatically arrested. The motor l of the present apparatus is connected to a transverse shaft l which carries the pin wheels 6. The shaft D also carries asprocket IB which drives the chain belt 1 interconnecting the respective pin wheel feed devices C fo'r unison operation. Esch operative cycle of the motor l advances the strip i only a predetermined measured distance, in accordance with the relative spacing of the ixrxprinteoxiv lends on the strip. The legendbearing strip having been initially advanced through the imprinting apparatus through like measured distances by a similar positive feed device having engagement in the marginal holes l, the imprinted-legends will have been correspondingly spaced. VIts subsequent like measured feeding movements over the table l of the present lwaratus progressively presents the successive imprinted legends in accurate registry with the several operating points. l.

Disposed in the path of the strip and benea thetableliaamagazine ii toeontainasupply of envelopes or small packages to be labeled. A

accesso transferred from the magazine to the receiving compartment. The traveling bottom I4 of the latter is. however. yielding, but strongly resistanty to pressure upon the stack of units therein. Each of the traveling compartment bottoms I2 and Il is provided with a screw threaded stem Il having threaded engagement in split nut devices Il supported on xed false bottoms 'or diaphragms Il in the supply and receiving compartments. Upon each of the threaded stems i! is splined a sprocket wheel Il, thus connected to transmit rotation to the threaded s'tem it, which is. however, longitudinally adjustable relative to its driving sprocket. The latter are revolubly mountedin the bottoms i 8 of the respective compertinents II and I l. The sprocket wheels I'I are driven in unison by a chain belt 20 actuated by corresponding sprocket wheels IT' on a shaft i9. The latter is driven from the pin wheel shaft 9 lby bevel pinions 22.

The screw stems i5 and il of the respective traveling compartment bottoms i2 and i4 `are reversely threaded whereby rotation in the same direction effects elevation of one stem and traveling compartment bottom and descent ofv spectively to the false bottom il, which levers project beyond the walls of the respective comfollower bottom i2 is provided in the magasine,

actuated upwardly by suitable feed meansto present the uppermost face of the top envelope orpaekagembstanusuyintnepane ofthe path of travelof the strip. Closely adjacent to the supply magasine il iss receiving compartment I 3 for the labeled envelopes or packages. which also ls providedwith a follower bottom il. which, however. is operated in reverse of that ofthe supply magazine. That is to say, the traveling Y bottom Il of the receiving compartment Il is gradually lowered as envelopes or packages are 75 partments and are normally held together and in engagement with the threaded stems II by suitable fastening devices, such as the hooks 24'.

Disposed over the table l of the apparatus and above the path of travel of the legend-bearing strip I is a vertically movable presser head II mounted on guide studs Il and yieldingly sup ported in elevated position on compression springs Il. This presser head carries in relatively spaced relation a cutting die 1I. beneath which the strip passes before reaching the envelope supply magasine. In registry with the supply magazine il the vibratory presser head carries a heating unit Il having therein electrical or other heating elements 3l, and finally, in resistrywith'the receiving compartment il, the presser head carries a yielding!! mounted holding frame Ii and a punch head 32 cooperating there-- with. 'fheseseveralelementsandthesupply magasine and receiving compartment are relativelyspaeedinaccordanoewiththespacingof succeedinglegendsontherecord strip. teach depression or the presser head several operations are simultaneously performed. 'Ihe cutting die I! scores or cuts, but does not entirely detach a legend bearing area of the strip of predeterminedsiseandoutlineasshownatinig.5.

Buch scored outline delinea the proportion of the label bearing the inscribed matter to be subsequently'attaehed to an envelope or package. At

the same time, the legend-bearing area of the strip previomly outlined by the cutting die 2l, and which is then positioned in registry with the 4supply magazine, is subiected to the heating infiuence ot the heater unit Il. The ldescent of the presser head by forcing the heater member 29 against the previously outlined legend-bearing area of the strip, forcibly projects the adhesive coated side of such areaof the strip against the uppermost envelope of the Supply. Such legendbearing area although partially severed, however still remains attachedto the 'supply strip. The adhesive material previously applied to the reverse side of the legend-bearing area of the strip is preferably of a thermo-responsive character'which is rendered soft and adhesive by application of heat. There are at present several forms of such adhesive commercially available, the preferred form of which is of synthetic resinous character, somewhat analogous to the materials used for plastic molding operations. Otherwise, if the adhesive is but freshly applied to the strip, the heater element serves to dry the adhesive in contact with the'topmost lenvelope in the magazine, against which it is pressed by the heater member 29. The legend-bearing area of the strip is thus i'lrmly attached to the topmost envelope of the supply in the magazine I l. 'I'he succeeding advance movement of the strip then carries with it the attached envelope from the magazine I l into registry with the receiving compartment I3. The same descent of the presser head initially projects the yielding holding frame 3l into pressure contact with the portions of the .strip bordering the outlined legend-bearing area,

which at such stage is adhesively aflixed to the envelope or package. The continued descent of the presser head projects the punch head 32 earried thereby through the holding frame 3l and against the attached legend-bearing area of the strip, thus breaking its remaining points of attachment to the strip and completing its separation. 1 l

The size of the label or legend-bearing area being less than the width of the strip, there remain in the machine for continued advancement therefrom the punched marginal feeding areas 35, and if the label portions are not severed on common lines, but are relatively spaced along the strip. the marginal punched areas will be connected at spaced intervals by transverse ties 3B. Such remaining portions are discharged from the machine into a box 31 as waste. To ailord suilicient yielding resistance of the labeled envelopes u to the pressure of the punch head 32, the travel` the traveling bottom I4 of the compartment yieldingly resists the pressure of the punch head 32. The presser head and the cutting die, heater member and punch head-.carried thereby are operated in alternating sequence with the pin wheel feed devices. v

Various forms of mechanical actuating devices may be employed for this purpose. However, there is illustrated in the drawings an electrically 'noid.43, the reciprocatory coreof which is connected with the trip arm. or the motor contrai mechanism by a link 45. Electrical energizing current is supplied to the respective solenoids 4lj and 43 from a power line 46 having a branch circuit 41 leading to thefpresserhead actuating solenoids 4I in which is ,located a make and break switch 43. Carried by the reciprocatory core of the motor control solenoid 43 isa bracket 43 on which is pivotally mounted a one-way pawl or nger 49' which, upon return movement of the core and link after tripping the motor 8, contacts the switch 43 controlling the presser head -solenoids 4I to close the energizing circuit 4l thereto. The presser head-is drawn downwardly by the several solenoids 4I against the yielding resistance of the springs eiecting simultaneously the outlining of a label portion by the scoring die 23, the adhesive applicationof a previously outlined label portion to a receiving unit, and the detachment from the strip of a previously labeled unit andthe adhesive label attached thereto. Upon the return stroke of the presser head under influence of the retractile springs 21, a one-way pawl 33 mounted on a bracket 54 carried by the, head 25v actuates a make-break switch 49, thereby closing the electrical circuit through the motor control solenoid 43, which by retraction of its core and the link 45 trips the`motor 3 for a single operation by which the feeding devices are` actuated to advance the'strip a predetermined distance, sumcient to present the succeeding label area in operative position.

In lieu of automatic electrically actuated mechanism, there is shown in Fig. 4 a manually .operated apparatus wherein the presser head 25 is pivoted at for vertical swinging motion manually effected by the handle 5|. Adjacent to its pivotal point the swinging presser head is provided vwith a iinger 52 which engages a make and break switch 49a corresponding to the switch 43 and which controls the energizing current to the motor tripping solenoid. 43 as before described. At each manual depression. of the head 25 one label area is. outlined, the previously outlined' label area is adhesively applied and the previously applied label area and attached unit is detached from the strip. Upon the return motion ofv'the head, the finger 52 by its engagement with the switch 43a causes the motor to advance the strip one label distanceand come to rest, whereupon the head is again depressed.

. Thus the outlining, applying and detaching opcontrolled system wherein the operation of either set of devices induces the operation of the other in continuous sequence.

1n thepresent instance the presser head 25 is actuated by plural solenoidsll located at op- 25 by links 42. The trippingmechanism for the motor 3 is also electrically controlled by a soleerations are performed alternately with the feeding operation. l

-A manual circuit closer 55 in the circuit of the motor control solenoid 43 enables the sequence of operation to be initiated. The cycle of operation is arrested by opening a second manual switch 56 in the supply circuit.

In its passage beneath the head 25 and over the magazine and receiving compartments thel margins of the strip are guided and held down byguides 51 as shown in Fig. 6.

From the above description it will be apparent' that there is thus provided a device of the character described possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirablabut which obviously is susceptible of modication in its form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the v principle involved or sacrificing any .of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has been described in language more invention into eifect, and the invention is therefore claimed in any or its forms or modiilcations within the legitimate -and valid scope of the ap' pended claims.

Having ums described ine invention, what is` claimed:

l. In a label applying apparatus, strip feeding means ior advancing a legend bearing strip.

through successive step-by-step movements, a unit supply magazine and a unit depository over which the strip is advanced. a scoring die past which the strip is advanced for outlining by weakened division lines succeeding legend bearing portions of the strip to be detached therefrom, an applicator in registry with theeunit supply magazine operative to adhesively attach an outlined legend bearing portion of the strip to the uppermost unit in the magasine, and a detaching device in registry with the unit depository and into registry with which the attached legend bearing portion of the strip and the unit to which it is attached is advanced by the advancement of the strip and operative to detach from the supply strip the legend portion` thereof attached to the unit. i

2. In a label applying apparatus, strip feeding means for progressively advancing past a lita--` tionary supply of individual units by successive step-by-step movements a continuous legend bearing strip, applicator means for adhesively attaching succeeding legend bearing portions of the strip to different individual units prior to their separation from the supply strip, and strip severing means for detaching from the supply strip succeeding legend bearing portions thereof subsequent to their attachment to individual units.v

3. A label applying apparatus. including means for 'progressively feeding a continuous legend bearing strip, scoring means 'for defining by weakened division lines succeeding portions of the strip to be detached, applicator means for adhesively attaching the previously defined portions of the strip to different individual units prior to detachment of said portions from the strip, and stripsevering means for subsequently dividing from the strip on the previously denned weakened lines those legend bearing portions attached to individual units and thereby freeing the units.

- 4. The herein described method of applying identifying labels toa succession of individual units. including advancing through a successive step-by-step movement a previously inscribed record strip having thereon a succession of longitudinally spaced legends, scoring the strip rela legend bearing strip portion to an individual unit. advancing the strip and attached unit. and detachlng from the strip the portion thereof attached to the unit, thereby freeing the unit' cession of legends, attaching succeeding legend bearing portions Yof the lindividual units.

theunits.

accesso bearlngportionsofthestripto vidualunitsoftheseriesandprogresivelyadvancinganddetachingfromthestripthelegend amnexeiaaeeeriseametnoaeiapplyins legendbearinglabelstoasuccesaionofindimuonsrysuauyofindividuaiuniuaeonunueu.

stripofmaterial havingthereona'longitudinsl' individuelunitsofthesupply.ad-`

succeeding vancingthestripandsttached unitsinunis'on and separating from the strip the attached legend bearing portions thereof. thereby freeing 'L'rne herein deserieecmetnea or labeling units, including attaching connected portions oi astripcomprisingaccntinuoussuccessionofde- 'tachable labels to succeeding individual stationary units prior to detachment ofthe label portion from the strip positively advancing-the strip and attachedunittoaseveringpositionandthereafter detaching the attached units' from thestrip by dividing the stripleaving the attached label portionimited with the unit.l

8. Inanapparatusoi'theeharacterdescribed. strip feeding means for advancing a continuous strip bearing longitudinally spaced legends relativetoastationarysupplyofunits,ascoiingde vice for weakening the strip adiacent to succeeding units to facilitate subsequcnt detachment thereof, applicator means for adhesively applying succeedinglegendbearingportionsofthestripto individual units, and strip severing means for detachingfrcmthestpthelegendbearingportions denned by the scoring device then attached to individualunits;

9. In a strip feeding and. severing apparatus wherein a continuous marginally punched legend bearingstripispmgressivelyadvancedpssta severing position wherein the strip is severed to produce a succession of individual labels, a sexies of traveling feeding pins having progressive engagement inthe marginal perforaticns of the strip for positively advancing the strip over a stationary supply of label receiving units, means for attaching successive unsevered legend bearing portions of the strip tosuccessive units of said supply whereby the strip and a unit attached thereto areladvanced in unison to the severing position, and arresting the strip with successive flegend bearing portions in registry with the severative to succeeding legends, adhesively attaching ing position, and a severing device operative to remove from the strip successive-longitudinally spacedlegendbearingportionsandattached label receiving units. the legend bearing portions being of predetermined shape and size of less width than the strip, leaving continuous marginal portions of the nected by tie portions intermediate successive removedsreas of the strip.

.10., In a strip feediix and severing apparatus wherein a continuous marginally punched legend l progressively advanced Plat a position, a series o! traveling feeding pins having progressive engagement in the marginal perforation of the. strip for positively ad- Ittipthentttachedtoinitial .strip transversely intercon-4 legend'bearing portions one from another, and applicator means for adhesively applying the severed legend bearin'g portions of the strip to 1 gressively advanced past a strip severing position, strip feeding means having feeding engagement with marginal areas only of the strip for advancing the strip progressivelypast a strip severing position, and strip severing means for removing from the strip successive legend bearing portions of the strip independently of the marginal strip feeding areas, applicator means for adhesively applying such legend bearing portions of the striponto individual label receiving units of a series. i

12. In a label applying apparatus, strip feeding means for advancing a continuous legend bearing strip past a label applying position, applicator means for attaching succeeding legend bearing portions of the strip todifferent individual units, strip severing means for detaching from the strip the unit attached portions thereof, and actuating means for operation of the strip attaching and severing means alternately with the operation of the strip feeding means.

13. In a label applying apparatus, strip feeding means for advancing a continuous legend bearing stripl past a label applying position, applisively advanced past label applying and strip severing positions, va strip feeding device having positive engagement with the longitudinally spaced configurations of the stripfor progressively advancing the strip measured distances to present succeeding legends in label applying position, applicator means for xedly attaching succeeding legend bearing portions of the strip to individual units, said strip feeding means then advancing the strip and attached unit to a stripsevering position, andv severing means for separating the legend bearingl portions of the strip l -irom that portion having therein the longitudih nally spaced feeding coniigurations.

17. -ln a label applying apparatus wherein a continuous legendbearing strip having therein a succession of marginally punched holes, is advanced past label applying and strip severing positions, a pin type feeding device having progressive engagement in the marginal holes forv advancing the ,strip and arresting it with vsucceeding legend bearing' portions in label applying and strip severing positions, applicator means for iixedly attaching legend bearing lportions of Y area thereof.

cator means `for attaching succeeding legend bearing lportions of the strip to different individual units, strip severing means for detaching from the strip the unit attached portions thereof, independently operable actuating means for the strip feeding means and for the strip attaching and severing means. and an interengaging device by which'the operation of either of said means initiates the operation of the other in alternating sequence.

, 14. In a label applying apparatus, a supply magazine for individual units to which legend bearing labels are to be applied, and a depository for label bearing units, means for advancing a continuous legend bearing strip over the supply magazine and thence over the depository, attaching means for iixedly attaching a legend bearing portion of the strip to a unit in said magazine, which by thefurther advancement of the strip is transported to a position relative to the depository, and detaching means for separating from the strip for deposit in said depositorythe unit andl attached legend bearing portion.

15. In a label applying apparatus, a supply magazine for individual units to wh'ich legend bearing labels are to be applied, and a depositoryV for label bearing units,1 strip feeding means f or advancing a continuous legend bearing strip relative to the magazine and depository, attaching 'means for ailixing succeeding portions of the strip to individual units in the magazine, and

means for depositing the units bearing aiiixed portions of the strip in the depository, and a progressively advancing support forthe remaining units in the magazine, and a progressively retractive support for the legend bearing units in the depository, and actuating means for the units` supports operative in synchronism with the strip feeding means.

18. The herein described method of applying legends to a succession of invidual units, including advancing a continuous legend bearing strip having marginal feeding congurations for engagement of a positive strip feeding device to succeeding label lapplying and strip severing positions, attaching the advanced legend bearing portion of the strip to an individual unit at the label applying position, advancing the legend bearing strip and attachedlunit to the strip severing posi- Y tion, and removing from the strip the longitudinally spaced portion thereof attached to the unit l which is of less width than the strip, leaving in- `tact the marginal feeding area and transverse portions of the strip between the removed areas.

19. The herein described method of applying labels in continuous sequence, including scoring a e continuous supply strip of label material atvsuc- 20. The herein described method of applying` labels to separate articles in continuous sequence. including the steps of scoring a continuous supply strip of label material to define thereon a sucv16. 1,In a label applying apparatus wherein a continuous legend bearing strip having therein longitudinally spaced eoniigurations is progrescession of label areas, adherently applying the succeeding deiined label areas to separate articles and subsequently detaching the adherent label portions andattached articles-"from the supply strip all in synchronized steps, wherein the initial scoring prepares the strip for subsequent operations and the application of the d ened area of the strip to an article prepares the assembly for the subsequent detachment in a continuv ous operation.

KATHERINE M. SHERMAN,

v WILLIAM C. SHERMAN, WELLMORE B. TURNER.A Executors of the Estate of John VQ. Sherman,

Deceased. 

